Unit History: Royal Regiment of Artillery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery, is generally known as the Royal Artillery and is nicknamed the Gunners. The Regiment is an Arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it is made up of sixteen regiments.
On the 26th May 1716, two regular companies of field Artillery were raised in Woolwich, London (now the home of Royal Artillery Barracks). In 1722, these companies were grouped with independent Artillery companies at Gibraltar and Minorca to form the Royal Regiment of Artillery, commanded by Colonel Albert Bogard. By 1757, the regiment had expanded greatly and comprised 24 companies, in two battalions. By 1771, this had increased to 32 companies in four battalions.

In January,1793, two troops of Royal Horse Artillery were raised to provide fire support for the Cavalry. This increased to four troops in November. All personnel were mounted.

The Royal Regiment of Artillery and the Royal Engineers, were under the control of the Board of Ordnance until 1855, where it then came underneath the War Office, following the disastrous campaign of the Crimean War, like the rest of the British Army.

69 Batteries - 21 Horse and 48 Field - of Artillery, from the East India Company were absorbed into the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1861, and there was now a total of 29 horse batteries, 73 field batteries and 88 heavy batteries.

There was further reorganisation in July 1899, and three distinct groups were formed. The Royal Garrison Artillery, were formed from Coastal Defence, Mountain, Siege and heavy batteries. There was also the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. This lasted through World War I, until 1924 when all three separate groups were reformed as the Royal Artillery.

The Royal Horse Artillery, which traditionally had separate uniforms and insignia, to this day retains a separate identity within the Royal Regiment of Artillery. It’s considered by its members to be an elite.

Memories of Royal Regiment of Artillery

(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)

Royal Regiment of Artillery, MALAYA in 1948

Written by IVOR OSHAUGHNESSY

first casualties and realizing -this is for real

, Royal Regiment of Artillery, in 2012

Written by Jim Jacobs

For members with a direct interest in the Korean War, you might care to know that Pen & Sword Military Books are to publish my memoirs of the two major battles fought in Korea, the Imjin River Battle, 22-26 April 1951, and the Third Hook Battle,28-31 May 1953, the latter battle during my second tour in Korea. Publication date is likely to be July 2013 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the armistice in Korea.More details to follow.
Update 13 May 2013.
My book is already on sale, cover price £19.99 - available from Amazon.co.uk or direct from the publisher:
Pen & Sword Military,
47 Church Street,
Barnsley, South Yorkshire,
S70 2AS

Royal Regiment of Artillery, munsterlager BAOR Germany in 1973

Written by stephenrichardlongbottom

I first got posted to 4 Regt RA in May 1973. I remember arriving at the barracks on the Saturday that Sunderland were playing Leeds in the FA Cup final. Most of the lads were already half cut when I arrived and being a ’Yorky’ I was immediately accused of being a Leeds fan. It took me a while to convince my new comrades that I was a dedicated Bradford City fan and wanted Sunderland to win which of course they did. (Ian Porterfield scored I think)

Royal Regiment of Artillery, in 1955

Written by Derek Eales

I was stationed at Grays in Essex in 1955, and was due to be posted to Cyprus but it transpired that they needed a T.C Radar Operator out there ,but as I was an F.C Operator my posting was cancelled, and my place was taken by a young lad from Slough who’s name I am afraid has gone. Shortly afterwards I was posted to the School of Ack Ack Artillery Manorbier. My old Regiment the 57th HAA Regt were then posted to Cyprus in early 1956. I would love to talk to anybody who was there at the time. Derek.